William Charles McTaggart (1919 - 1970)

Born 25 Jun 1919 in Paynesville, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

Died 1970 at about age 50 in Bairnsdale, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

William charles McTaggart is an Anzac who served in World War Two.

William Charles McTaggart (the junior William Charles McTaggart) was born 1919 at Bairnsdale, Victoria. Sadly his mother, Edith, passed away that same day.

He worked as a clerk in Paynesville & held an accounting diploma. Enlisted for war service 5th January 1940. #VX102446 . 14th/32nd Infantry Btn. Rank Corporal. His battalion conducted defensive duties around Melbourne's waterways. Posted to Port Moresby- New Guinea arriving 4th July 1943. Luckily for William he missed most of the worst fighting (both Kokoda Track & Buna-Gona battles had been won) but was posted to garrison New Britain Island. 10th May 1945 from New Britain Island to Brisbane, Australia for demobilisation. William was discharged from service Sept 1945 and returned to Bairnsdale after the war.

He immediately married Joyce Myrtle Edith Presswell, had family and settled back to civilian life there. Passing away 1970 at Paynesville, Victoria. Aged 50 years.

World War Two Service - Veteran Details;

Name MCTAGGART, WILLIAM CHARLES

Service Australian Army

Service Number VX102446

Date of Birth 25 Jun 1919

Place of Birth PAYNESVILLE, VIC

Date of Enlistment 04 Aug 1942

Locality on Enlistment ALTONA, VIC

Place of Enlistment BELLEVUE, WA

Next of Kin MCTAGGART, WM

Date of Discharge 06 Sep 1945

Rank Corporal

Posting at Discharge 14/32 Battalion.

Prisoner of War No.

Honours None for display^[1]

Melbourne's 14th Infantry Battalion was the "Prahran Regiment" and Footscray's 32nd Infantry Battalion was the "Footscray Regiment". Both units were originally formed in 1921... With Japan's entry into the Second World War, the 14th, 32nd, 5th, and 6th Battalions were called up and placed on defensive duties at Western port and Port Phillip Bays... In August 1942 the 14th and 32nd transferred to Western Australia, joining the 6th Brigade in the Geraldton area. In September the 14th and 32nd merged and became the 14th/32nd Infantry Battalion...In February 1943 the 14th/32nd returned to the east and underwent amphibious landing and jungle warfare training. After reaching Port Moresby, were flown to the Buna-Gona area. The 14th/32nd spent over a year conducting garrison duties and long-range coastal patrols as far north as Nassau Baying. This experience would shortly be put to use when the 6th Brigade, part of the 5th Division, was given the task of garrisoning New Britain^[2].

Sources

1. ↑ DVA Nominal Roll - William Charles McTaggart https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=504465&c=WW2#R
2. ↑ 14/32th Australian Infantry Battalion - history- Australian War Memorial [1]

• birth William Charles McTaggart 1919 at Bairnsdale, Victoria. BDM Vic. Ref#16187. Parents William McTaggart & Edith Matilda Ray.
• war service MCTAGGART WILLIAM CHARLES : Service Number - VX102446 : Date of birth - 25 Jun 1919 : Place of birth - PAYNESVILLE VIC : Place of enlistment - BELLEVUE WA : Next of Kin - MCTAGGART WILLIAM
• marriage William Charles McTaggart, and Joyce Myrtle Edith Presswell 1945 BDM Vic. Ref#8514
• death William Charles McTaggart 1970 at Bairnsdale, Victoria. BDM Vic. Ref#10039 aged 50 years (est. DOB 1920). Born at Paynesville, Victoria. Parents William McTaggart & Edith Ray.